Virgin London Marathon 2011: Telegraph team reveal personal reasons for running London marathon

Powerful, personal reasons motivate most runners embarking on the 26.2 mile
London Marathon course on April 17. A group of runners gathered at the
Telegraph Media Group, went on a training run around St James Park led by
veteran marathon specialist David Phillips, and shared their moving reasons
for wanting to be involved.

Heart-felt: a handful of Team Telegraph's marathon runners share their reasons for taking on the gruelling challenge

Over the last 13 years, over five hundred runners from the public have raised 1.33 million pounds for the Telegraph/Brain and Spine Foundation, through the London Marathon team.

After three laps around St James Park – made something of an obstacle course with groups of tourists teeming everywhere amongst the blossom – our small group of runners (a tenth of the team which will take part on the day) shared lunch in a conference room at the Telegraph Media Group, and explained why they have committed to the cause of the Brain and Spine Foundation, a small charity which undertakes research into brain and spine conditions and illnesses.

The B&S Foundation provides a 24-hour helpline with a neurological nurse available to those suffering from neurological conditions, and their families. Testimonies over the years have insisted the helpline is a God send in alleviating many worries and concerns.

Once the runners had shared their tales of aches, injuries and pains in training for the day, there was an appreciable change in tone in the lunch room as our runners explained their emotive reasons for running.

Aimee Grace, a pensions officer based in Chigwell, explained that it had been hard with her elder sister having being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008. Her behaviour and moods take huge swings, due to the force of the tumour on her brain. Aimee shook her head as she explained it.

Related Articles

“She was only 27 when she was diagnosed. I had felt incredibly helpless during my sister’s illness so deciding to run the marathon this year, raising money for this fantastic and very relevant cause, has really given me a focus and a way to do something positive. This turned out to be the best thing I could do as I’ve met lots of people who continue to inspire and motivate me. The team is fantastic and I am proud to say I am a part of it."

"Training for a marathon is hard, you don’t actually realise how hard until you are hobbling home crying, thinking about a bath of ice or nursing another blister and wondering why you are doing it. But I only have to look at my JustGiving page and see the generous donations and messages of support, the support from The Brain & Spine Foundation team, and it’s overwhelming. This charity will always have my support.”

James Tute, a 34-year-old journalist, who looks as fit as a fiddle, explained: "One of my friends died in 2007 after several years living with a brain tumour. He suffered lots of horrible side-effects and I know how grateful he was for the advice and support of the Brain and Spine Foundation. I was keen to have a crack at the Marathon anyway but knowing I'm raising money to help people in similar situations is great motivation." Top man.

Sarah ‘Dalglish’ O’Neill – who says she is related to Kenny – hates running, but loves running for a cause. “Anyone who has shared a glass of vino or a ciggie with me, knows I’m not a typical marathon runner but, in March 2010, I came to realise that my cousin Mickey's unwavering fight against his brain tumour was fading and there wasn't anything anybody could do to stop the inevitable.”

“It was a very tough moment in my life. But I believe that something good has to come out of Michael’s death so I’ve decided to run the London Marathon and raise as much money as possible to help us to understand and one day find a cure for Michael’s uncontrollable disease.”

“Michael was 30 when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with a grade-3 brain tumour. Within his 18-month fight, he survived three major brain operations and intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, not to mention numerous months admitted to hospitals and eventually the Woodland Hospice, where he died, aged 32, in August 2010. Within this time, Michael hit every obstacle head on with great courage and tremendous strength. In a weird way he was the strongest of us all. I can only hope that I will be as strong in mind and body as Michael was when I run my urban Everest around London on marathon day.”

Dr Tamsin Gregory sees such things most days in her work. It was time for her to get involved herself.

“As an anaesthetist specialising in neurosurgery and neuro-intensive care we often see patients and their families who have received devastating diagnoses. Often it is very difficult for them to take in all the information they are given. The Brain and Spine Foundation's helpline provides such a valuable source of clear, reliable and impartial information for patients and their families, which we frequently recommend they use. Such a good service needs to be supported and this is the best way I could help.

Vanessa Woodley promised she would not cry. She talked of her fiancé Tom, with whom she has been 9 years. Three years ago, they found that he has Arnold Chiari Malformation Type 1 & Syrinx, a very rare life changing progressive brain spine condition. As there is no known cure for the condition, Arnold Chiari sufferers have to live with the symptoms for the rest of their lives.

“I sadly can't take the condition away from Tom, but I can try and make as much money and awareness as I can for the charity that supports the sufferers and their families.”

David Phillips, who is approaching £50,000 raised for the Brain and Spine Foundation over a decade in the DT/B&S team – perhaps just as remarkable is that he has now completed 392 marathons – admitted he was “touched by the stories of the ‘youngsters’ and their family traumas. Every year, the team are such an amazing group of people.” Having been involved from the beginning myself, I could not agree more. Keep on running, team, and you will keep saving lives.